Given the pitfalls faced by both pros and amateurs, Wes is correct in observing that it's a miracle that recordings get made at all. As a rank amateur, I'm fascinated that even with twenty first century technology, putting together any sort of acceptable recording is still so much an art. While my copy of "There Lies the Home" is still en route to me, I'm willing to believe Wes that I'll neither be able to hear the whoosh of the vacuum cleaners in it nor will I be aware of the passages where John filtered it out.

Here's something cool for users of the Mac Tiger OS. The "ontour" widget bumps the artists in your iTunes library against a listing of concerts in your local area. It works great. I knew Bob Dylan was in town but I didn't know that personal faves Bill Frisell, The Klezmatics, and Pere Ubu all have upcoming dates in NYC.

This is something even Ken Kessler could appreciate. Or not.

As I have said many times, we send out preprints of our reviews as a courtesy to manufacturers, who are strictly warned against publicizing any part of the review ahead of publication. They are also not allowed to quote from a review of their product in the same issue as the review appears. We also state that if they wish to quote from a Stereophile review, they request permission so that we can ensure both that the text has not been edited and that the quote is properly attributed.

Hi all,

I have a Marantz DV9500 universal player, and plan to send it off to a mod shop to conduct the usual "wring the most out of it" drill.

Superclocks and silver solder abound... what is a worthwhile investment?

Any suggestions on a reliable place to send it, and any subsequent good results, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Bill

I am brand spanking new to IPod audio... all due apologies in advance.

Anyone have ideas on the best connectivity & setup options to plug my IPod into my integrated amp (suggestions, links, articles, etc.)?

I also have a huge song collection on my Mac desktop - I figured you all would know the best approach.

System basics:

Marantz DV9500 universal player
Dali Helicon 400 speakers
Cayin A-88T integrated tube amplifier

Many thanks!

Bill

Lets face it, anything you could name in Audio is just "pocket change" for him. At one time I know that he drove a 1967 Corvette so he does have good taste in classic Corvettes. Inquiring minds want to know, what does the richest man on the planet listen to? Could it be that he is a closet Ipod Junkie?

How about it John? What say if Stereophile does a Profile of Bill Gates and what he listens to?